Armor & Mobility

May/ June 2017

Military magazines in the United States and Canada, covering Armor and Mobility, focuses on tactical vehicles, C4ISR, Special Operations Forces, latest soldier equipment, shelters, and key DoD programs

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unmanned aerial systems that provide longer operational range,
beyond line of sight capabilities, and can be launched/recovered by
forward SOF teams. UAS technologies are advancing rapidly and
ARSOAC assumes a lead role in partnering with the other USSOCOM
components to answer SOF operator requirements in the field.
ARSOAC's Systems Integration Management Office (SIMO) works
hand in hand with adjacent USSOCOM Research and Development
directorates to explore capabilities and rapidly transition innovative
solutions into fielded technologies. These fielded technologies often
begin in the SOF realm, but we work to rapidly share them with
conventional forces across the services where we see value. ARSOAC
systems and crews do not currently conduct Manned/Unmanned
Teaming (MUM-T) in the same way general purpose aviation forces
do, but we closely synchronize our assets with a myriad of joint
enablers to ensure intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)
requirements are met for our supported special operations forces.
A&M: From an industry partnering perspective, how is ARSOAC working
to partner with industry to better facilitate concept to field outcomes?
BG Evans: We rely heavily on industry to fill capability gaps and
enhance current capability as threats evolve. One notable example
is our cooperation with the Army and other services on the Future
Vertical Lift (FVL) program. Since the Army is the Department of
Defense (DoD) lead agency for FVL, we are actively engaged in
providing industry input for SOF requirements. Our SOA operators
provide feedback to SIMO on what capabilities we would like to see
in this new program. SIMO in turn works closely with industry and
the programming office to guide the development process. FVL must
be centered on the ground force commander's tactical needs in the
terminal area. It is imperative we do not sacrifice its helicopter-like
maneuverability and agility for speed and endurance. We are actively
partnering with the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence
(USAACE) and the Aviation Program Executive Office (PEO Aviation) to
ensure SOF mission requirements are addressed in the FVL family of
vehicles. In addition to our work on FVL, the ARSOAC routinely hosts
industry briefs to allow vendors, large and small, to present aviation
related solutions that reduce pilot workload, enhance survivability,
strengthen logistics processes and simplify mission command. We
feel this is critical to stay abreast of those advancing technologies
that will ensure our comparative advantage against our adversaries
in the future.
A&M: What are any other goals/challenges you are addressing going
forward.
BG Evans: The current and projected shortage of rotary wing pilots
in Army Aviation is also a concern for the ARSOAC. Our mission
requirements are not diminishing so it is imperative that we recruit
committed, capable, and trainable pilots and crew members to join
our ranks. Army Aviation's missions are challenging, diverse and
enduring. We are looking for those officers who want to take on a
different mission role and are seeking new challenges. The ARSOAC
offers a rigorous training program that empowers aviators to operate
across the spectrum of conflict in all environments. Our adversaries
are unrelenting, and the future almost certainly holds challenges as
tough as or tougher than those we have already faced. The ARSOAC
continues to be a critical capability in the menu of options our national
and theater special operations components can bring to bear on the
enemy in support SOF across the Joint and Coalition teams.
ARMY CONTRACTING
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Brig. Gen. John Evans, U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (Airborne)
Commanding General, speaks to a group of Soldiers and civilian contractors during a
ceremony in Lexington, Kentucky. (U.S. Army photo)
LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE
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